Shinji Kagawa scored a hat-trick as Manchester United surged 15 points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League table with a 4-0 win over Norwich at Old Trafford.

The Japan international gave United a 1-0 the lead on the stroke of half-time after Robin van Persie played him in. Kagawa added his second on 76 minutes before running on to a Wayne Rooney pass for his third.

Rooney sealed the win in the 90th minute as Sir Alex Ferguson's side pulled further clear of rivals Manchester City.

Demba Ba gave Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez something to smile about as he fired the Blues to a 1-0 win over West Brom at Stamford Bridge.

Benitez faced flak from Chelsea fans after criticising a section of them following the midweek cup win at Middlesbrough.

Chelsea went ahead after 26 minutes and held on to move above Tottenham and into third place ahead of Spurs' clash with Arsenal today.

West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster tipped David Luiz's 25-yard free-kick around the post, and Frank Lampard's corner picked out Luiz. The defender headed the ball into the path of Ba, letting the striker slot home from close range.

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez steamed ahead in the race for the golden boot with a hat-trick as woeful Wigan were dispatched at the DW Stadium.

The Uruguay international became the third Reds player to score 20 or more in a Premier League season after Robbie Fowler (25) and Fernando Torres (24). With 10 matches to go it seems sure he will surpass those efforts: it looks like a straight race between him and van Persie (19), who he leads by two.

Marouane Fellaini inspired Everton to a 3-1 win over Reading at Goodison Park. The Belgium international climbed to reach Seamus Coleman's cross from the right wing to head past Royals goalkeeper Jan Mucha in the 42nd minute.

Steven Pienaar doubled the Toffees' advantage in the second half and Kevin Mirallas added the third. Hal Robson-Kanu pulled one back for Reading.

Fulham drew 2-2 with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light after the home side fought back from a two-goal deficit.

Dimitar Berbatov put Fulham ahead with a penalty before Sascha Riether made it 2-0 to the Cottagers on 35 minutes. Sunderland hit back two minutes later with Gardner scoring from the spot after Danny Graham was pulled back by Philippe Senderos. Stephane Sessegnon levelled the score in the 70th minute.

QPR claimed a much-needed 2-1 win over Southampton at St Mary's, but it was not enough to lift them from the foot of the table. Junior Hoilett played a ball over the top and found Loic Remy , who lifted the ball over goalkeeper Artur Boruc. Gaston Ramirez levelled the score at 1-1 with a close-range shot on the stroke of half-time, but Jay Bothroyd put QPR back in front after the break.

Swansea claimed a 1-0 win over Newcastle in their first match since their historic Capital One Cup win over Bradford last weekend. Luke Moore scored in the 85th minute after Newcastle looked to have held the upper hand for much of the game.

West Ham also triumphed 1-0, against Stoke, thanks to a goal from substitute Jack Collison.